Published: Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 9:10 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 9:10 p.m.

Gator-wrangling hopefuls turned out with their best swamp tales Saturday as producers searched Houma for new cast members for the hit History Channel show “Swamp People.”

Goloka Bolte, president of The Casting Firm, the company running the casting call, said show officials are looking beyond alligators for “true swampers” — residents with a unique story, way of hunting, or who are living in a way that you could only live in south Louisiana.

Last year, 80 teams of hunters turned out for the casting call. As things revved up Saturday at Big Al’s in Houma, more than 24 people had already signed up to audition for the show that’s about to enter its fifth season.

Mike Colee was one of those people. An alligator hunter for more than 20 years, Colee, a Gibson resident, said he tried out for another reality show in 2011. That show aimed to send south Louisiana gator hunters to a remote fishing village in the Philippines to trap crocodiles.

Though he didn’t make the cut, he was invited back to audition for “Swamp People,” he said.

After leading swamp tours and farming gators, Colee said reality show stardom would offer “something different.”

Colee said the show has been good for the alligator business, bringing meat prices to $10 a pound. It has also brought some recognition to Cajun country, an area that much of the country knows nothing about.

But he said he hoped to bring more knowledge about the alligator industry to the show and its viewers.

Janie Luster, a resident of Dularge and a member of the United Houma Nation, auditioned after being encouraged by her niece. Though not an alligator hunter, Luster hoped to showcase her knowledge of Native American crafts, like palmetto basket weaving and making art and jewelry with garfish scales.

“The scales are beautiful, and they come in all different shapes. I have them in the shape of a heart and the Virgin Mary. I even have one that looks like Jay Leno,” she said.

Luster, who sells her crafts at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, said coastal erosion and land development has made finding the traditional palmetto leaves needed for her craft more difficult.

She hopes to showcase native culture and Louisiana’s coastal land loss with her story.

Swamp People stars R.J. and Jay Paul Molinere were also at the audition chatting with potential cast members. The alligator hunters from Grand Bois have been on the show since season two.

R.J. said there’s no secret to catching the producers’ eye. You just have to be yourself.

The two said that their lives have changed dramatically since joining the show’s cast.

“It’s been a good change,” said Jay Paul. But he added that the father-son pair get recognized everywhere they go, and it’s even worse outside of Louisiana.

Jay Paul added that making the show is harder work than some may think. Alligator hunting is always hard work, but when you bring a crew along you’re responsible for several other people who are unfamiliar with the environment.

And people who prefer to keep to themselves should not sign on for reality television, R.J. said, adding that you always have to have a smile, be ready to pose for pictures or sign autographs when you’re just trying to go about your day.

But the two embrace their roles and say that they travel regularly to meet their fans on top of their work in the swamp. They also enjoy serving as ambassadors of their small Native American community, Grand Bois.

Bolte said that even though the casting calls are over, casting officials will be in the state for a few more months searching for the additions.

If you’re interested, or if you know of someone who would be perfect for the show who’s not Internet savvy, visit www.swamppeoplecasting.com for information.

Staff Writer Nikki Buskey can be reached at 448-7636 or nicole.buskey@houmatoday.com.

<p>Gator-wrangling hopefuls turned out with their best swamp tales Saturday as producers searched Houma for new cast members for the hit History Channel show “Swamp People.”</p><p>Goloka Bolte, president of The Casting Firm, the company running the casting call, said show officials are looking beyond alligators for “true swampers” — residents with a unique story, way of hunting, or who are living in a way that you could only live in south Louisiana.</p><p>Last year, 80 teams of hunters turned out for the casting call. As things revved up Saturday at Big Al's in Houma, more than 24 people had already signed up to audition for the show that's about to enter its fifth season.</p><p>Mike Colee was one of those people. An alligator hunter for more than 20 years, Colee, a Gibson resident, said he tried out for another reality show in 2011. That show aimed to send south Louisiana gator hunters to a remote fishing village in the Philippines to trap crocodiles.</p><p>Though he didn't make the cut, he was invited back to audition for “Swamp People,” he said. </p><p>After leading swamp tours and farming gators, Colee said reality show stardom would offer “something different.”</p><p>Colee said the show has been good for the alligator business, bringing meat prices to $10 a pound. It has also brought some recognition to Cajun country, an area that much of the country knows nothing about. </p><p>But he said he hoped to bring more knowledge about the alligator industry to the show and its viewers.</p><p>Janie Luster, a resident of Dularge and a member of the United Houma Nation, auditioned after being encouraged by her niece. Though not an alligator hunter, Luster hoped to showcase her knowledge of Native American crafts, like palmetto basket weaving and making art and jewelry with garfish scales.</p><p>“The scales are beautiful, and they come in all different shapes. I have them in the shape of a heart and the Virgin Mary. I even have one that looks like Jay Leno,” she said.</p><p>Luster, who sells her crafts at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, said coastal erosion and land development has made finding the traditional palmetto leaves needed for her craft more difficult. </p><p>She hopes to showcase native culture and Louisiana's coastal land loss with her story.</p><p>Swamp People stars R.J. and Jay Paul Molinere were also at the audition chatting with potential cast members. The alligator hunters from Grand Bois have been on the show since season two.</p><p>R.J. said there's no secret to catching the producers' eye. You just have to be yourself.</p><p>The two said that their lives have changed dramatically since joining the show's cast.</p><p>“It's been a good change,” said Jay Paul. But he added that the father-son pair get recognized everywhere they go, and it's even worse outside of Louisiana.</p><p>Jay Paul added that making the show is harder work than some may think. Alligator hunting is always hard work, but when you bring a crew along you're responsible for several other people who are unfamiliar with the environment.</p><p>And people who prefer to keep to themselves should not sign on for reality television, R.J. said, adding that you always have to have a smile, be ready to pose for pictures or sign autographs when you're just trying to go about your day.</p><p>But the two embrace their roles and say that they travel regularly to meet their fans on top of their work in the swamp. They also enjoy serving as ambassadors of their small Native American community, Grand Bois.</p><p>Bolte said that even though the casting calls are over, casting officials will be in the state for a few more months searching for the additions. </p><p>If you're interested, or if you know of someone who would be perfect for the show who's not Internet savvy, visit www.swamppeoplecasting.com for information.</p><p>Staff Writer Nikki Buskey can be reached at 448-7636 or nicole.buskey@houmatoday.com.</p>